French word

tronche

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁɔ̃ʃ/

Meaning

  • feminine nounface

Example

Il a une tronche sévère quand il travaille.

He has a stern face while he works.

Illustration for tronche (face)

More examples

Ils se sont payés la tronche l'un l'autre en plaisantant.

They teased each other about their faces while joking.

Core concept

A strongly marked face whose visible expression can make it look stern, sulky, or rough.

Common phrases

  • se payer la tronche de quelqu'un

    tease someone about their face

Similar words

visage: The overall appearance or shape of the face.
tête: The outward appearance of the head, including the face.
figure: The look or impression conveyed by facial features and expression.

Definition in French

Désigne la physionomie ou l'expression du visage, souvent employé pour parler d'une mine sévère, boudeuse ou marquée.

Word origin

The familiar face sense of tronche grew from an older French word linked to Latin truncus, meaning a trunk or cut-off part.

Usage tips

  • Tronche is familiar and can sound insulting, so visage is safer in neutral or formal descriptions.

Other meanings

  • headnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word